Category Archives: EdFestivals 2022

All our coverage from the 2022 festivals.

EdFringe Talk: Danielle Walker

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“I’ve also realised I often spout off facts that I’ve heard via word of mouth, that probably aren’t actually true.”

WHO: Danielle Walker

WHAT: “This show is a scrapbook of memories about my family. Two of them have smelt a Bigfoot. One has seen it. They all agree on a military cover-up. I couldn’t get home for two years and had this anxiety that someone in my family would die and I wouldn’t have enough to remember them by. It’s relatable comedy to country people and absurd comedy to city people. 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Most Outstanding Show nominee and Pinder Prize winner.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Four (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 15:35(60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my first time doing a show at the fringe, I’ve been twice before, once accidentally, It was before I did comedy and my dad and I came to Scotland together to do a Haggis tour (traditionally for young backpackers who want to fuck I think?) But dad and I had a lovely father/daughter trip, the few days we had in Edinburgh it was very busy and we didn’t think to work out why. Now I know what the festival is, I’m looking forward to it.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve learnt that most of the life lessons I think I’m learning are just things I’m telling myself to affirm my viewpoint. I’ve also realised I often spout off facts that I’ve heard via word of mouth, that probably aren’t actually true. I often find myself saying stuff like “Did you know that ants have graveyards and when they smell another ant is dead they carry it off to the ant graveyard…but sometimes they get the stench of death on themselves so they walk themselves off to the ant graveyard, so they don’t cause more work for the other ants…then after a while of not dying they go “well I guess I’m not dying and walk back to the colony” but also I don’t actually know if that’s true, my friend just told me”

Tell us about your show.

My show is about trying to collect memories of the people I love before they’re gone. I wrote it, but my boyfriend did listen to me talk about it every day for ages and to different ideas and encouraged some and discouraged others so he helped big time. Country Mile productions is producing it, they’ve been so incredibly great. I’ve done the show at different places around Australia, and after the fringe I think I’d like to make a portable version (because the show has quite a big set) I could maybe take to country towns around Aus. since it’s a very country people focused show.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

They should go see someone they haven’t heard of because it’s nice to see new things. They should ask around and see what people are enjoying once the fringe has started and word of mouth starts. They should also go see Dan Rath because he has a really unique voice, works super hard and has a really high joke per minute ratio. (I’ll give a few more recommendations after my show, probably based off what I’ve seen and recommend and who I feel sorry for and want to try in some way to support them).

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EdFringe Talk: Magical Bones: Soulful Magic

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“For one month you are transported into this surreal world of art and entertainment. From hotels, pubs, churches, universities and even in the side of the street, everywhere you turn is a performance arena.”

WHO: Richard Essien

WHAT: “Following a totally sold-out debut in 2019, the Britain’s Got Talent finalist returns to the Fringe with ‘a dazzling show… full of imagination and flair’ **** (Guardian). Direct from appearances on America’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, BBC One’s BAFTA Awards, ITV1’s This Morning and Sky’s Around The World in 80 Tricks, join Bones as he brings you a brand-new hour of the most awe-inspiring and high-energy magic you’ll see this year.”

WHERE: Assembly Checkpoint – Assembly Checkpoint (Venue 332) 

WHEN: 16:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Actually, this will now be my third time at the Fringe. Each time I’ve always come up as a performer. The first time was with a late night variety show called Charabang back in 2013 and the last time was in 2019 with my debut solo show Black Magic. I really love the the Fringe, as it is a special kinda of experience. For one month you are transported into this surreal world of art and entertainment. From hotels, pubs, churches, universities and even in the side of the street, everywhere you turn is a performance arena. You’re surrounded by so much creativity and talent, as well as the beautiful history of Edinburgh- you can’t help but grow as a performer and person.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

One of the biggest things I learned in 2019 was to plan well in advance. From the spontaneous performance opportunities to the tons of show invitations so many things come at you all at once so you need to make sure your always prepared . But I guess the biggest takeaway is to be present and enjoy the experience. I learned that not everybody will enjoy my show but also that everyone doesn’t have to. The festival is huge and there is room for everyone’s tastes and talent.

Tell us about your show.

Souful Magic is a high-energy action packed magic & illusion show, that’s been sprinkled with Hiphop flavour. This show is brand-new and has been written by myself and is being produced by Broken Robot Productions. Essentially the show is a continuation of my previous show Black Magic which I brought to the Fringe in 2019. As well as being a magician my background is also street dancing, so you can expect tons of great music and original ideas with magic tricks, such as solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded, whilst doing the spinning breakdance move windmills.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I think that people should go out and see everything, especially, magic shows. There are so many great magicians well known and unknown coming down so they’ll be in for a treat. I also think people should see my sisters comedy theatre show ‘Flat Shoes in the club’, it’s a hilarious one woman show that exposes the challenges that face women when going clubbing! But most importantly try and see something different, because you may surprise yourself and find a new inspiration or passion.

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EdFringe Talk: Kate Butch: Wuthering Shites

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“I wrote the show in 2019, mere days before I was set to perform it in my hometown at the Buxton Fringe (I work best under pressure!).”

WHO: Kate Butch

WHAT: “Kate Butch, the Comic Sans of Drag, is back in Edinburgh. She’s written a musical based on the songs of her favourite singer and namesake, but needs your help to get BUSH! to Broadway. The lovechild between Mamma Mia and a nervous breakdown, join this ‘great comedian’ (WhatsOnStage.com) for a hilarious blend of live music, lip-sync extravaganzas, and more cloud-busting than you can shake a stick at.”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Front Room (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 19:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

The last time I came to Edinburgh was in 2018 with a sweaty, raucous club night called Lip-Sync Lollapalooza which ran until about 4am every night. I think that’s part of what makes a great festival: swapping sleep for total immersion in arts, performance, nonsense and finding glitter in all the wrong places.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve learnt that anything and everything can disappear overnight, so to take every opportunity I can and throw myself into them. I was all set to take my show to Edinburgh in 2020 and had arranged the venue, the marketing, everything. However, being forced to wait until 2022 has meant that Kate Bush has come back in a big way, which has done wonders for my show! I suppose that’s another lesson : look for the silver lining in everything.

Tell us about your show.

My show, Wuthering Shites, came about because so many people were confused (some outraged) that a drag queen called Kate Butch did very little Kate Bush material. I wanted to make the most Kate Bush show possible, with all the classics, plus some deep dives and niche facts, and how all of this weaves in and out of my own life. The show takes the form of the first ever workshop of my brand new Broadway-bound jukebox musical ‘BUSH!’, as I take the audience through the plot, the casting and even the merchandise; imagine Mamma Mia! crossed with a nervous breakdown.

I wrote the show in 2019, mere days before I was set to perform it in my hometown at the Buxton Fringe (I work best under pressure!). By some miracle I won the award for Best Comedy, and presented a slightly reworked version of the show at VAULT Festival in March 2020, but played to very empty houses due to some mystery bug that was going around. This summer marks the first time I’ve performed the show in two and a half years (I think I can remember it all), so it’s gone through some changes but stills retains the original spirit: a silly, theatrical celebration of Kate Bush and all her eccentricity.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I’m doing another show right after Wuthering Shites, playing the very challenging role of Kate Butch in Drag Queens vs Zombies. If you can’t handle more than one dose of me (I completely understand), I would recommend drag legend Séayoncé for spooky campery, comedy icons Sikisa and Katie Pritchard (you’ll be seeing their names a lot in the future), and the shows Any Suggestions Doctor and The Silliad for all your nerdy improv needs.

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EdFringe Talk: Arty’s Ani-Magination

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“This will be my first time visiting Edinburgh! I’ve known about the buzz of the EdFringe for a long time now.”

WHO: Hattie Chapman

WHAT: “A young girl wishes that people were more like animals (because they’re nicer and kinder, obviously) and wakes to find herself transformed into a rat! But it’s not just her! All of her family, friends and teachers have been transformed into walking, talking, singing animals! This family musical is jam-packed with monkey business, hyena laughs and toe-tapping tunes which are sure to leave you smiling! Produced and performed by The Long Lane Theatre Company.”

WHERE: Assembly Roxy – Upstairs (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 10:30 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my first time visiting Edinburgh! I’ve known about the buzz of the EdFringe for a long time now. It’s is the biggest arts festival in the world with such a huge variety of people and performances, which is what makes it so special. I love the reputation it has for giving opportunities to new talent and giving them a platform to create and share their work. I’ve always wanted to go, so the idea of performing there this year is incredibly exciting. I’m sure it will be my first year of many!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

When I graduated from drama school in 2019, I was just starting to learn what it means to be an actor in the industry. It felt very overwhelming and it can still feel like that at times. I think the main lesson I’ve learnt since then is that comparing myself to others is a huge waste of time. I’m learning to trust myself and to trust that failing is also essential for my journey and growth. I’m not as afraid to ‘fail’ – I’m still practising that and I don’t think I’ll ever be a master. I think the more comfortable we feel in the face of potential failure, the more bold we become in taking risks. Which in turn opens ourselves up to potential success! I believe that applies to everything in life, not just acting.

In terms of Covid, we’ve all learnt so many things. But what became particularly significant, was discovering how boring life was without theatre!

Tell us about your show.

I play Arty in a new family musical Arty’s Ani-Magination. It’s the story of a young school girl who isn’t having the best time (she’s got a very annoying older sister) and so she wishes that she could be an animal just like her pet rat, who seems to be having the best time. Then she wakes up one morning to find out she’s turned into a rat, and the worst thing is her wish is contagious, so soon all her family and friends (and teachers) are all turning into their favourite animals too.

Eve Pearson-Wright wrote and directed the show. She has been creating children’s theatre for years and she says she’s tried to get all the bits that children love the most into one show, so even though it’s a new show it’s actually tried and tested.

There’s a cast of five actors who are all part of Long Lane Theatre Company. We all transform into different animals at one point, which the children are going to love but also it has this heartfelt story about two sisters who are re-finding their closeness over the show which is hopefully really moving and there’s lots of humour in there that will get a laugh out of even the most tired parent.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Long Lane Theatre have two other shows on at the EdFringe this year that tell incredible stories:

‘The Giant Killers’ follows a ragtag bunch of Lancashire mill workers who defied all odds to become the first working-class team in the country to play in the FA Cup. It celebrated a 5-star debut at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 and a nationwide tour of the UK. It’s not one to miss!

‘The Actress’ is our third play; set in 1660, speculation is swirling around London that for the first time a woman will be allowed onto the stage. This new play explores the incredible true story of the two woman that would shape the paths of those that would follow them.

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EdFringe Talk: S.O.E.

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“A few months into the project we cast Natasha Jayahendry as Noor Inayat Khan. Natasha is a formidable Noor and she has equally transformed the piece.”

WHO: Deborah Clair

WHAT: “The WW2 Special Operations Executive is tasked with espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance. As a wireless operator, life expectancy is six weeks. Madeleine is the codename for one such agent. Flown by moonlight to occupied France, her job is to keep her circuit connected with London. Gestapo Officer Josef Kieffer is on her trail and the net is closing. Now the war is over, Vera Atkins is trying to uncover the truth. Of all the 12 cases of missing women agents, one haunts her the most – Madeleine – the Indian princess, Noor Inayat Khan.”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Front Room (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 11:30 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is CLAIR OBSCUR’s second visit to the Edfringe. Our first time was in 2018 when we brought ‘A Necessary Woman’, a play I co-wrote with Philippa Urquhart about the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison. That year was the centenary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act, when the first groups of women won the right to vote.

‘A Necessary Woman’ was the perfect piece to bring to the festival and I have vivid memories of marching along the Royal Mile with the WASPI women and making speeches as Emily to publicise the show.

My two daughters who came with me were quite young at the time, so this year, now they’ve grown, I am hoping to see a good variety of shows with them.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I know it’s a cheesy thing to say, but I suppose not to give up or lose hope. At the height of the pandemic, it was hard to see how things might ever recover.

The lockdown forced me to focus on my writing much more and to write for other mediums. I wrote my first radio play, ‘Best Beloved’, which has just been published by Methuen Drama in the same collection as ‘S.O.E.’ Then I found the story of Vera Atkins and Noor Inayat Khan. It began its journey as a short first scene between the characters. I then dared to share this with a couple of trusted friends, chiefly my co-producer, Nicholas Collett, who thought their story was truly inspiring and has believed in this project from Day One.

A few months into the project we cast Natasha Jayahendry as Noor Inayat Khan. Natasha is a formidable Noor and she has equally transformed the piece.

Tell us about your show.

CLAIR/OBSCUR is a female-led theatre company that places women in key roles within the creative team – playwright, director, designer, lighting, stage manager, digital technician and actors. We believe it is essential to give women creative opportunities and vital for us to tell our own stories faithfully. I am the writer of ‘S.O.E.’, Nicholas Collett is Co-Producer and Dominique Gerrard is the director of the piece, Cat Alchin is our lighting designer. We are a Hastings based company and we have all worked together before on other projects.

S.O.E is a play about the outstanding contribution of two WW2 women of the Special Operations Executive – Vera Atkins and Noor Inayat Khan. Faith, fortitude and courage only begin to describe their extraordinary qualities.

These women were not British citizens but essentially refugees. Vera Atkins was a Romanian Jew and Noor Inayat Khan was a French citizen of Indian heritage. They fled their war-torn countries and pledging their allegiance to Britain, agreed to fight for a free Europe. The play is dedicated to telling their story and placing these remarkable women, front and centre of the piece, driving the action.

We are proud and honoured to be in partnership with The Bridges Programme as we passionately believe in its mission to support the social, educational and economic integration of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and anyone for whom English is a second language. History has shown us that such people make a vital and extremely valuable contribution and we would be severely diminished as a society without them.

We have just completed an ACE supported, twenty-date tour in the south and ‘S.O.E.’ was published by Methuen Drama at the end of May. We are now looking at opportunities to reach the rest of the UK and to tour the play internationally.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I have these recommendations for this year’s Edfringe:

‘Room’ by Heather Alexander Theatre – A bold adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s iconic A Room of One’s Own. This show stars the fantastic Heather Alexander who gives an exquisite performance as Virginia Woolf. It is directed by Dominique Gerrard (our director for S.O.E) and has received rave reviews during its tour. Pleasance Courtyard, 11.40 am (3-16 August & 18-27 August)

‘Done to Death by Jove’ – Gavin Robertson and Nicholas Collett Productions – Suitable for all the family and side-splittingly funny. I have known Gavin and Nick for years and they simply have funny bones. Great fun and warning: May contain hats! The Space Triplex Studio 17.05 (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 August)

‘Prejudice & Pride’ – This new folk musical comedy reimagines Jane Austen’s classic novel in modern America with gender-swapped characters. I have not seen this show, but I have read the fabulous reviews and I will be taking my daughter who is a die-hard Austen fan in any form, whether its in bonnets or with zombies. I have heard the songs are fantastic – we can’t wait! The Space Triplex-Big 22.00 (5-27 August, not 8 &9)

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EdFringe Talk: Cecil Beaton’s Diaries

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“Edinburgh is the right stage for Cecil – alive, irreverent and always ready for a party.”

WHO: Richard Stirling

WHAT: “For the first time ever, the diaries of photographer and stylist Sir Cecil Beaton are dramatised for the stage. Beaton’s society photographs flattered their subjects; his diaries did not. His wartime photographs showed his versatility; his diaries show the cost. Even his triumphant designs for My Fair Lady never stopped his doubts. And his passion for Greta Garbo found fulfilment only in his writing. Blisteringly funny and at times deeply moving, with appearances ranging from the Queen Mother and Elizabeth Taylor to Churchill and Capote, the diaries paint a self-portrait of the 20th century’s most compelling dandy.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Nicolson Square – Lime Studio (Venue 209) 

WHEN: Varies (55 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time at the Edinburgh Fringe. I previously wrote a show for the Fringe, for the (in)famous Lady Colin Campbell, titled A Cup of Tea with Lady C, which was performed in 2017, shortly after her – again – (in)famous appearances in I’m a Celebrity – Get Me out of Here!

This time, I am venturing onstage in my own right, as another big beast, not of the jungle but of the world of stage and film: photographer and designer Sir Cecil Beaton, one of last century’s most iconic dandies, and a blisteringly funny (wicked) diarist.

His photographs and designs are fab – but you won’t believe the things he says! I can hardly believe them, even though I know they are true!

And Edinburgh is the right stage for Cecil – alive, irreverent and always ready for a party.

What makes a great Festival? One which embraces the anarchist in Cecil as well as the icon.

What are my thoughts as I travel to Edinburgh? Look out, Auld Reekie – here comes Cecil, so gird your loins!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since 2019, it has become more important than ever for an artist to follow Cecil Beaton’s maxim:

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert imaginative vision over the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.”

Tell us about your show.

For the first time ever, the diaries of photographer and stylist Sir Cecil Beaton are dramatised for the stage. Beaton’s society photographs and stage designs for My Fair Lady flattered their subjects; his diaries did not.

I have been allowed to adapt and perform these diaries, and the sheer dazzling excellence of the writing, combined with the glorious Beaton photographs, makes this a premiere unlike any other show on which I have worked.

A further life? There had better be! Cecil is too good to be seen only for three weeks…

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Fascinating Aida always makes me laugh: I have followed them for years.

I think Fringe-goers should try to dive into something at the Edinburgh International Festival. If we on the Fringe are to get their audiences coming to us, then we have to open our minds to their art-forms. A ballet, opera or classical concert can be as riveting and outlandish as anything on the Fringe, and it need not cost very much more. Why keep things in boxes?

If you are a theatre-goer, see an exhibition. If you are into alternative comedy, go to a play. It’s all there! Now!

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EdFringe Talk: Lucy Porter: Wake-Up Call

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“I think Edinburgh is a magical city anyway, and in August it’s even more special. I’ve seen hundreds of hours of live shows, lived in dozens of different flats, and eaten about a million baked potatoes from the Tempting Tattie on Jeffrey Street.”

WHO: Lucy Porter

WHAT: “A brand new stand-up show from the Fringe favourite. As heard on Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show. TV appearances include Would I Lie to You, QI and Live at the Apollo. Wake-Up Call is a show about revelations, realisations and epiphanies – both large and small. Subjects covered include: bin collection schedules, the novels of Jean Rhys, cats, school-fair booze tombolas, the Scottish Enlightenment, pressure washers and Huel. It’s an exuberant, silly show with some wisdom sprinkled on top.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Forth (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 17:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I first came to Edinburgh to be a member of the Perrier Comedy Awards Panel in 1992, so this is my 30th anniversary of coming to the fringe! I didn’t realise it was such a momentous year for me until right now. My love affair with this festival is one of the longest relationships in my life. After losing my fringe virginity in 1992, I came back in later years as an assistant producer of the Perrier Awards, a TV scout, and finally as a comedian. I think Edinburgh is a magical city anyway, and in August it’s even more special. I’ve seen hundreds of hours of live shows, lived in dozens of different flats, and eaten about a million baked potatoes from the Tempting Tattie on Jeffrey Street. The best festivals are ones where the weather is not too rainy and not too hot – fringe venues are notoriously humid – and where there are lots of acts who are doing exciting, challenging work. I think that after a few years of being confined to quarters, performers this year will be more inclined to take risks and try new things, so I’m really looking forward to it.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

On the subject of lessons, I have learned that I could never be a teacher – having to home school my children was a very traumatic experience for me, my husband and the children. Mostly for the children I think. We coped in the end by just realising that my husband and I know nothing, and teaching the children some fun facts that their teachers will have to correct now that they’re back at school. We told them that Queen Victoria was Winston Churchill’s drag name, that Julius Caesar was famous for inventing salad dressing, and that mixing your parents a gin and tonic is a very important scientific experiment that must be done at least three times a day.

Tell us about your show.

Wake-Up Call is my favourite fringe show so far, because it’s incredibly personal and great fun. It’s based on all my experiences from the last few years, which are still quite raw, and hopefully audiences will relate to it. Although we all had vastly different experiences of early covid, lockdowns, and the weird period since, I think we’ve been united by common experiences in a way that I’ve never known in my 49 years on earth. The show is brand new for the festival, but I’ll be taking it on tour around the UK in 2023. It’s written by me, with some additional material by the brilliant writers Gabby Hutchinson Crouch and Mike Shephard. It’s being produced by the mighty Bound and Gagged, who are veterans at helping disorganised comedians like me get our shit together. It’s being publicised by the amazing Gaby Jerrard PR, who make sure that I do interviews like this one, and try to persuade reviewers to come and see the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all of them for their help.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I’m most excited about seeing Jordan Gray’s show “Is It a Bird?” At The Assembly George Square. I saw a little taster of her show last month and it was exceptional. She’s an all-round entertainer: she can sing, she can dance and she’s hilarious. To be honest, it’s a little bit unfair of her to be so brilliant.

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EdFringe Talk: SNORT

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“Go see all the Kiwi comedians! I might be biased, but…”

WHO: Brynley Stent

WHAT: “New Zealand’s favourite improv show and the sell-out hit of the 2019 Fringe returns! Cheeky, topical and relentlessly silly, Snort sees a rotating cast of New Zealand’s best comedians (including Rose Matafeo, Laura Daniel, Joseph Moore, Eli Matthewson, Nic Sampson, James Roque, Brynley Stent, Paul Williams, Rhiannon McCall, Freya Finch, Alice Canton and more) build an intricate hour of far-fetched, high-stakes comedy, entirely made-up on the spot, featuring a brand new guest every night.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Upstairs (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 23:00 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time in Edinburgh. I am an Edinburgh Fringe Virgin! I had planned to come in 2020 but then this little thing called The Pandemic happened, so this trip has been a long time coming!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

In the lock-down I spent a lot of time learning how to make a perfect Croquembouche…it has not proved useful yet.

Tell us about your show.

I perform as part of an Improv group from New Zealand called ‘Snort’ (which is a very silly name we chose on a whim and it just stuck). The show started out mainly as a way for a group of comedy friends to perform together / hang out together on a Friday night, but it became really popular and now we’ve been performing to weekly sold-out crowds in Auckland on a Friday night for almost 10 years! In Edinburgh we are being produced by the lovely people at Berk’s Nest.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Go see all the Kiwi comedians! I might be biased, but I recommend: Eli Matthewson, James Roque, Two Hearts, Abby Howells, Nic Sampson and Paul Williams.

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EdFringe Talk: Fire Is Not the Only Element

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“Themes for my current Fringe show include womanhood, war, class, punk, love – oh and seagulls. Something for everyone !!”

WHO: Morna Burdon

WHAT: “Full of laughter and tears, this is poetry as entertainment. Punctuated with true-life stories and song. Packed with humanity, compassion and pithy observations on life. From womanhood to war, from class and punk to love, and the beautiful game. Moving, funny, gaspingly honest. Expertly written and performed. ‘Absolutely joyous, funny and emotional.’ ‘Told so simply, with great depth.”

WHERE: Scottish Storytelling Centre – Library at Fringe (Venue 30) 

WHEN: 17:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I live in Edinburgh and have been lucky enough to be part of the Fringe many times in a range of roles – actor, director, street theatre performer, producer. This year – poetry, spoken word, song. The great thing about the Fringe is the variety, the opportunities and the internationalism -for performers and audience. And sometimes they merge. One year I invited anyone who wanted to, to come along and we would create a piece of theatre that would show that evening. 17 brave souls turned up – from Canada, Thailand, Scotland, England and elsehwere . Professionals and amateurs performed a show that night that they had created together and they played to a full house!! Wonderful! I have also been a punter and again it is the variety and internationalism that I enjoy. Also the sheer excitement you can feel in the street, in the auditorium, backstage. People having fun!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I have learned you can act in 19th century French farce from your own living room alongside 2 actors in their living rooms, directed by 2 directors based in Milan and Sardinia and play to an audience looking at you through this thing called Zoom and you can make it work !!! Thanks to EnglishMilanTheatre for believing it could!!! Magical watching a piece of bread being handed from one actor in Glasgow to one in Edinburgh and it seeming to be the same piece of bread! And then there was the acting ( of course!) . But it was great working on timing etc miles away from each other. I learned having COVID is no fun but also that slowing down and just taking one day at a time leaves space for – well, creativity, I guess. I wrote this show during lockdown – and learned I can write poetry (and songs) and create a whole show from that. Give it time and things will evolve . Simplicity. Good for the soul.

Tell us about your show.

My show is ( I hope!) an entertainment of poetry , spoken word and song. I started writing poetry during lockdown and it just growed!!! I love the way words can tell stories and poetry can create a language that we can all relate to – build pictures and feelings and intertwine them all so that we suddenly discover we are looking at life and this show is about us ( except when it’s about THEM and we get a chance to say what we think about THEM!)

The company is me ( though I am helped this year by a wonderful creative producer, Ida Casilli, who also has several other hats !! ) I started writing my own shows around 8 years ago because I wanted to perform again after many years of directing and heading up projects and the simplest way of getting the gig seemed to be if I wrote my own show !! I also really loved singing so incorporated that ( there are a coupla songs in this current show for that reason). I did a 30 minute online version of this show as a Platform event with Edinburgjh Performing Arts Development who help with that kind of thing and are amazing. I then developed it into a full hour and it premiered at the Scottish Storytelling Centre to a sell -out house which was when i decide to bring it to the Fringe ( same venue). I am planning to tour it afterwords – round Scotland, Italy expressing interest and other possibilities in the offing. My other shows are still touring – with Gie’s Peace on at Prague Fringe in late September and Bonnie Fechters and After Judy Chicago also available. The former is about women of courage throughout history and After Judy Chicago includes a the audience sitting at their own Dinner Party as that was the title of Judy Chicago’s iconic feminist artwork that the piece is based on. Themes for my current Fringe show include womanhood, war, class, punk, love – oh and seagulls. Something for everyone !!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

There are so many to choose from! See Alan Cumming in his Burns show. He really works his craft, that man.
Look out for local artists – support them – they are here all the year round working away when it is not all so festival-ly. Scottish Storytelling Centre might be a good start for some of that though it is full of artists from throughout the world too – lots of theatre as well as traditional storytelling.
The Medea – cos my pal Pauline Lockhart is in it. Plus I hear it’s quite a good play!! Been a round a while.
Experiment, have fun, and come back next year !!!

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EdFringe Talk: Nic Sampson: Marathon, 1904

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2022 by

“I’m from New Zealand which is traditionally located on the other side of the world, so getting to Edinburgh has been difficult in the past.”

WHO: Nic Sampson

WHAT: “32 athletes entered the 1904 Olympic marathon in St Louis, Missouri. Only 14 finished… What happened in between was a perfect storm of stupidity, cheating, raw eggs, wild dogs and rat poison. In his Edinburgh debut, New Zealand comedian Nic Sampson brings to life the incredible true story of one of the dumbest sporting events of all time. Co-writer of Starstruck (BBC Three). Star of The Brokenwood Mysteries (UKTV).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar (Venue 22) 

WHEN: 16:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time doing the Edinburgh Fringe! I’m from New Zealand which is traditionally located on the other side of the world, so getting to Edinburgh has been difficult in the past. I moved to the UK in 2019, just in time for things to get really good over here! I’m excited at the prospect of seeing lots of shows, meeting lots of comedians, and losing my mind over the course of the month!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve learned that when you decide to move countries, check to see if any big pandemics are on the horizon. Also, during the lockdown me and my wife read about what Antarctic researchers do to pass long stretches in isolation. Apparently the thing to do is find something slow growing like a plant, and monitor its progress every day. We picked a strawberry plant in our local park, and every day we would check in on it, waiting for that fateful day when it would finally bear fruit. In the end it turned out the plant we were monitoring was just a weed. But I still think the idea was solid.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Marathon, 1904, and you’ll never believe this, it tells the story of a Marathon that took place in 1904. Specifically, the 1904 Olympic Marathon in St. Louis, Missouri.

It was probably the wildest, most disastrous Marathon in the history of the Olympics, but the story has been somewhat lost to the sands of time. It’s an utterly mad tale of stupidity, corruption, wild dogs, raw eggs and rat poison. And it all really happened.

I came across this story randomly a few year ago and was surprised that I’d never heard it before. How could a story this crazy not be more widely known? Why aren’t we teaching this in schools, if for no reason other than to discourage people in their 30s from attempting marathons?? So I decided to share it the only way I know how, by making myself the centre of attention. I know little about sports and I’m a decidedly average runner, but I am a skilled actor who can do up to four different voices.

It’s produced by Country Mile Productions and afterwards we’re taking it straight to Hollywood baby.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

They should go and see SNORT – the improvised comedy show that I’m doing with my pals from New Zealand every night at Pleasance at 11pm. It stars Rose Matafeo, Two Hearts, Eli Matthewson, James Roque, Alice Snedden and more, and I hope this isn’t TMI but it’s a lot of fun!

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